These bikes should be licensed with a registration fee and banned from residential neighborhoods.

Chair and Members of the Committee: On behalf of Broadlands Association, Inc., I am submitting testimony in strong support of HB 1120, which proposes the creation of a workgroup to review and modernize Virginia law regarding e‑bikes and other electric personal mobility devices. Broadlands, like many communities in Loudoun County, has experienced a significant increase in the use of e‑bikes, electric scooters, and similar devices—many of which exceed 750 watts. While these devices provide mobility and recreational benefits, they have also resulted in growing safety, behavioral, and property damage concerns, particularly when used by minors without adequate training, supervision, or understanding of applicable rules. Within our community, we have observed: Unsafe operation by minors, including failure to follow traffic rules or use appropriate protective equipment. Reckless riding on streets, sidewalks, and community trails, creating hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, pets, and motorists. Damage to common areas, landscaping, and natural spaces caused by off‑path riding and misuse. Challenges for law enforcement, including the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, in applying existing statutes because current laws do not clearly address these emerging device types. Local deputies have repeatedly communicated to us that many of these devices do not clearly fall into current statutory definitions for bicycles, mopeds, or motor vehicles. This makes it difficult to enforce safety expectations, apply age or operational requirements, or issue citations that hold up legally. The gap between existing law and modern technology leaves communities without effective tools to manage safety risks. HB 1120 is a necessary and timely step. A formal, structured workgroup—bringing together legislators, law enforcement, community associations, technical and safety experts, and industry participants—is the appropriate means to develop clear, consistent, and enforceable standards. Such a workgroup can provide thoughtful recommendations on: Appropriate age, training, and supervision requirements; Safety and equipment standards, including wattage classifications; Rules for operation on public roads, sidewalks, and multi‑use trails; Updated device classifications that reflect current technologies; Enforcement mechanisms that law enforcement agencies can reliably apply. Updating the legal framework will help ensure the safe use of e‑bikes and electric mobility devices, protect residents, reduce property damage, and support responsible, enjoyable recreation throughout our community. For these reasons, Broadlands Association, Inc. strongly supports HB 1120 and respectfully urges its passage. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.

On behalf of the Ashburn Village Community Association (AVCA), I am submitting testimony in strong support of HB 1120, which proposes the formation of a workgroup to examine and recommend updates to Virginia law regarding e‑bikes and other electric personal‑mobility devices. Our community has experienced a rapid increase in the use of e‑bikes, electric scooters, and similar devices with motors of 750 watts or more. While these technologies provide convenient and sustainable transportation options, they have also raised significant safety and property‑damage concerns, particularly when operated by minors or inexperienced users who may lack training or awareness of road rules. AVCA has observed unsafe operation by minors who often lack knowledge of traffic laws or proper safety equipment, reckless riding on streets, sidewalks, and trails that creates hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, and damage to common areas and landscaped spaces from off‑path riding or misuse. Additionally, law enforcement, including the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, faces challenges in applying existing statutes to these devices because current laws are outdated, unclear, or insufficient. These devices often do not fit neatly into existing classifications for bicycles, mopeds, or motor vehicles, making it difficult to address unsafe behavior, establish age or licensing requirements, or issue citations that hold up legally. HB 1120 represents a necessary step forward. A formal workgroup that includes lawmakers, law‑enforcement agencies, community associations, safety experts, and industry representatives can develop clear, modernized, and enforceable standards. Such a group can identify appropriate age and training requirements, establish equipment and safety standards, define operational rules for roads, trails, and sidewalks, update device classifications to reflect today’s technology, and provide effective enforcement tools that law‑enforcement agencies can reliably apply. Updating Virginia’s legal framework in this way will promote safer use of e‑bikes and other electric mobility devices, protect residents, reduce property damage, and support responsible recreation. For these reasons, the Ashburn Village Community Association strongly supports HB 1120 and urges its passage. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. Mark Walker General Manager Ashburn Village Community Association

Chair and Members of the Committee, On behalf of the Stone Ridge Association, I submit this testimony in support of HB 1120 and the proposed formation of a workgroup to review and modernize Virginia’s laws governing e-bikes and other electric personal mobility devices. Our community has seen a significant increase in the use of high-powered e-bikes and similar devices. While these devices offer benefits, current statutes do not clearly classify or regulate them, creating challenges for enforcement. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that current laws make it difficult to apply age requirements, safety standards, and citations effectively in many cases. We have also observed safety concerns, including inexperienced or underage riders operating devices at unsafe speeds on streets, sidewalks, and shared trails, creating risks for pedestrians and motorists. In addition, improper use has resulted in damage to common areas and community property. A multidisciplinary workgroup is an appropriate and necessary step to establish clear classifications, safety standards, operational rules, and enforceable regulations that reflect current technology and promote public safety. For these reasons, the Stone Ridge Association respectfully urges passage of HB 1120. Thank you for your consideration. Kathy Beaulne, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM General Manager Stone Ridge Association Aldie, Virginia

Good afternoon, Dear Chair and Members of the Committee, On behalf of the Birchwood Community Association, I am submitting testimony in strong support of HB 1120, which proposes the formation of a workgroup to examine and recommend updates to Virginia law related to e-bikes and other electric personal mobility devices. Birchwood is a 55+ community that includes beautiful trails that provide residents with important opportunities for fitness and offer connectivity to miles of trails leading to adjacent communities, county park facilities, and regional trailways. The Birchwood segment of the trail is located within a county-required public access easement, which allows for bicycle use. We understand that this means that Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are also permitted. Birchwood residents have expressed serious safety concerns related to the use of e-bikes, electric scooters, and similar devices of 750watts or more. Residents also express concerns about liability and property damage. Residents regularly report observations of minors disregarding road rules. The Association has engaged with neighboring communities, local law enforcement, and elected officials to share these concerns. We understand that the existing legislation makes it difficult to enforce. The existing statutes do not provide current and clear guidance for enforcement; it is difficult to visually distinguish between the various classes of e-bikes, to determine the age of the operator, and to issue citations that hold up legally. HB 1120 offers a key step forward. A formal workgroup to bring together stakeholders is vital to develop updated and actionable enforcement standards. Birchwood strongly supports HB 1120 and urges its passage. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. Rosemarie Linder CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM, General Manager Birchwood Community Association.

Written Testimony in Support of HB 1120 Brambleton Community Association (BCA) - Brambleton Virginia - Loudoun County Chair and Members of the Committee, On behalf of the Brambleton Community Association (BCA), I am submitting testimony in strong support of HB 1120, which proposes the formation of a workgroup to examine and recommend updates to Virginia law related to e‑bikes and other electric personal‑mobility devices. Our community is experiencing a rapid increase in the use of e‑bikes, electric scooters, and similar devices of 750watts or more. While these technologies offer benefits, they have also created significant safety and property‑damage concerns, particularly when operated by minors without adequate experience, training, or understanding of road rules. BCA has observed a pattern of community impacts, including: *Unsafe operation by minors who often lack knowledge of traffic laws or proper equipment. *Reckless riding on streets, sidewalks, and trails, creating hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. *Damage to common areas and landscaped spaces from off‑path riding or misuse. *Difficulty for law‑enforcement agencies, including the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, in applying existing statutes to these new devices because current laws are outdated, unclear, or insufficient. Local deputies and other law‑enforcement partners regularly communicate their challenges in enforcement. The devices often do not fit neatly into existing classifications for bicycles, mopeds, or motor vehicles, making it difficult to address unsafe behavior, determine age or licensing requirements, or issue citations that hold up legally. HB 1120 provides a necessary step forward. A formal workgroup—bringing together lawmakers, law‑enforcement agencies, community associations, safety experts, and industry representatives—is the appropriate mechanism to develop clear, modernized, and enforceable standards. Such a group can help identify: *Appropriate age and training requirements *Equipment and safety standards *Operational rules for public roads, trails and sidewalks *Classification updates that reflect today’s technology *Enforcement tools that law‑enforcement agencies can reliably implement Updating the legal framework will promote safer use of e‑bikes and electric devices while protecting residents, reducing property damage, and supporting responsible recreation. For these reasons, BCA strongly supports HB 1120 and urges its passage. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. Rick Stone AMS, LSM, PCAM General Manager Brambleton Community Association

Please vote to Report HB1120, a much-needed effort to identify options to address safety issues caused by technology outpacing education and regulation. Education should he prominent in the scope of solutions considered. For that reason, please consider directing either or both the Department of Motor Vehicle or Department of Education to be co-leaders of the stakeholder workgroup.

We support this study because illegal and unregulated fast electric-powered personal mobility devices are a growing safety problem, both across our commonwealth and nationwide. We suggest, however, that the Department of Motor Vehicles, rather than the Department of Transportation, may be best suited to convene the referenced work group and that the Virginia dealers and distributors of such personal mobility devices should be included among the stakeholders.